THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

The Student

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I never was much of a student when younger so I’m in the process of trying to change that and be the learning sponge I was initially meant to be. Learning is fun and it opens so many doors which is a lesson I picked up early in my work career. Not that I’m looking for any professional door to open at this stage of my first career but I am looking forward to running through a few doors on my next adventure.

Right now it’s a hobby but hopes are that I’ll enjoy it so much in retirement that it will become a second career. This means I should pick up the camera bag tomorrow and head outside. Perish the thought, it’s going to be in the teens and maybe a single-digit wind chill.

Just cruising under the radar today. Photo by Mike Hartley

I do have the setup ready for the lighting test for some portrait work. But before that this student has pulled a few books out, one on The Studio, another on lighting and I’ve also got a few YouTube videos to scan through. I found an old Vivitar 2800 flash. And I need to get some use from that new Hpusn softbox. I’m a little short on backdrops so I’ll have to improvise there. Learning by doing. Plus I’d like to do a controlled test with what are the best apertures for that zoom at various levels.

Enjoy in moderation. Photo by Mike Hartley

My weekend is off to a great start. Spent last evening with my best friends and my granddaughter today. I learned that the laughter and bond we share of 4-5 decades of close friendship isn’t just a friendship, it became family along the way.

And I learned that you have to listen very intently to a just under 3-year-old child who is trying to communicate the most important information in the world and doesn’t like to have to repeat herself. I’ve also learned that if I do understand her well, I’m into her good graces. Kind of true for adults also but we don’t listen too well to each other anymore.

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Friday night.


Random Thoughts of the Day

  • It really feels good to get the email inbox cleaned out. So I’m told.
  • Looks like we dodged another storm here in central Maryland. We’re on a roll of luck.
  • I don’t know why the Olympics don’t have the interest that used to draw me to watch a lot of the sports.
  • This country has a gambling problem. Care to wager on that?

Author: Mike Hartley

With a lifetime and a half in the Newspaper industry I'm preparing for my retirement career as an Artist, Writer, Photographer and Video content provider. I'm a proud father of two wonderful children and I'm still married to the first girl I fell in love with and probably only one that would have me.

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